1. The Issue Exposed: Greed.  (v. 13-15)
2. The Issue Illuminated: The Rich Fool (v. 16-20)
3. The Antidote: Be Rich Towards God (v. 21)

How do we become rich towards God?

1. We need to see ourselves as STEWARDS, not owners – Psalm 24:1
2. We need to SIMPLIFY our lifestyles – 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
3. We need to SHIFT our thinking and priorities – Luke 12:31-34

1. The Person: An expert in the law tries to test Jesus (v. 25-29)
2. The Parable: An unexpected hero (v. 30-35)
3. The Point: Will I be a neighbor? (v. 36-37)

Takeaways:

1. Bad neighbors ignore the needs God places right in front of them in order to preserve the kingdom of self.  
2. Good neighbors meet the needs God places right in front of them in order to advance the kingdom of Jesus.  
3. Jesus is the Model Neighbor.

1. PARABLES are wisdom scenes aimed at the heart and mind that reveal the Kingdom of God.
2. PARABLES prophetically confront the status quo with one big idea: The condition of our heart matters.
3. PARABLES challenge us to respond: Let anyone who has ears to hear, listen!

How do you cultivate a heart of “good soil” for the Word of God?  The “wisdom” pyramid is a helpful tool.  

Picture these in order of priority:

1. The Bible – Our Daily Bread
2. The Church – The local church provides time-tested theology, wise people and embodied rhythms and worship
3. Nature and Beauty – General revelation that leads to joy and gratitude
4. Books – Build a biblical worldview and critical thinking through great books
5. Internet – Focus on trusted sources and content recommended by wise people only
6. Social Media – Use sparingly!  Too much is bad for overall health

Jesus said that his mission would fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy to “set free those who are oppressed” (4:18).  There’s not much more of a picture of someone completely and totally oppressed anywhere in Scripture than the condition of the demon-possessed man.  Three truths about power in Luke 8 that impact our mission:

1. Demonic Power is Real – v. 22-29
2. The Power of Jesus is Far Greater – v. 30-33
3. We Respond to Power in Great Fear or Great Faith – v.34-39

As we GO to live the mission among our neighbors and the nations we learn from this story:

1. Spiritual warfare is real, so don’t go into battle without the full armor of God. - Eph. 6:10-20
2. Jesus has power over the most hopeless and oppressive situations imaginable.  – Luke 1:37
3. We are called to go with this story: This is who I was.  This is how Jesus has changed me. – Matthew 28:18-20. 

Jesus came to give “sight to the blind” (4:18).  In this story, Luke wants us to clearly SEE (7:44)…

1. A woman who overcomes immense barriers to declare her total love for Jesus (v. 36-38).
2. A Pharisee who invites a rabbi to dinner and gets a lesson on love (v. 39-43)
3. A Savior who shatters our categories to show us the good news about the forgiveness of sins (v. 44-50)

What do you do with news this good?  You share it with everyone you can.

Gospel Conversations defined: (1) Sharing the Good News of Jesus (2) with the lost and searching and (3) trusting the Holy Spirit with the results.

The Lord’s Supper helps us remember and celebrate how Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven much. 

 Disciples of Jesus who multiply disciples must:

1. Be willing to go where Jesus leads (v. 1-7).
2. Be humble in the presence of Jesus (v. 8).
3. Be fully committed to follow Jesus (v. 9-11)

We must respond to Jesus’ instructions with “If you say so.”

We must respond to Jesus’ invitation with leaving everything to follow Him.

We respond best to Jesus when we are part of a disciple-making group that is committed to gospel conversations, groups, and going. 

The Gospel According to Jesus: This is the first recorded sermon by Jesus in Luke’s Gospel and it launched a worldwide movement that has yet to be stopped.

1. Our mission isn’t to be Jesus, it’s to proclaim Jesus.
2. Our mission isn’t the social gospel, it’s the gospel period.
3. Our mission isn’t to discover a mission, it’s to join Jesus in His mission.

We say it this way: Engaging the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ, anywhere, anytime, with anybody.

As The Church at Station Hill, we committed to living out this mission of bringing good news to the poor, captives, blind, and oppressed on Launch Sunday in 2010.  We re-commit to this mission on this Sunday in 2021. 

 “When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” – Luke 3:21 – 22

I - We identify with Christ in His baptism – Luke 3:21 - 22

 II - We identify with Christ in His sonship  - Luke 3:22

 III - We identify with Christ in His mission – Luke 4:1 - 13

Takeaways 

I – Live in light of our unity with God – John 17:20 – 23

II - Live in light of our unity with one another – 1 Corinthians 1:10, Galatians 3:28

III - Live in light of the reality that your life in not your own. – Galatians 2:20, Titus 2:11 - 15

Mary is an example to us of how to rightly respond to God’s Word:

1. Mary responds in careful thought (v. 26-37)
2. Mary responds in humble submission (v. 38)
3. Mary responds in wonder and praise (v. 46-55)

Takeaway: Mary is a model of SURRENDER.  Do you trust the Holy Spirit enough to say, “Put me WHERE you want me, WHEN you want me there, doing WHAT you want me to do?”

How do we get ready for a coming King?

1. We Wait Expectantly (v. 15)
2. We Point Humbly (v. 16-17)
3. We Proclaim Faithfully (v. 18-20)

What John the Baptist teaches us about Humility:

1. Humility comes from beholding God’s greatness – James 4:6
2. Humility is cultivated when we fast from self – 1 Peter 5:5-7
3. Humility is strengthened when we feast on Christ – Philippians 2:3-11

How do we get ready for a coming King?

1. We RECEIVE our instructions from the Word (v. 1-2)
2. We REPENT of our sins as symbolized by baptism (v. 3)
3. We PROCLAIM the salvation of God to all (v. 4-6)

How do we help prepare others?  By sharing the good news of Jesus with the lost and searching and trusting the Holy Spirit with the results.

In Gospel Conversations:

1. We SHINE a light in the darkness (John 1:6-8)
2. We SHARE boldly with the irreligious and religious (Luke 3:7-9)
3. We SHOW the world what repentance looks like (Luke 3:10-14)

Three Things that are Certain During Uncertain Times:

1. Jesus, the Savior of the World, has come. (2:10-14)
2. Jesus, the Son of Man, will come again. (21:25-28)
3. Jesus, the King, tells us to be ready. (21:29-36)

 How We Live Between the Advents:

1. Don’t be deceived (21:8)
2. Don’t be afraid (21:9)
3. Don’t miss gospel conversations (21:13)
4. Don’t give up (21:18-19)

The God who came will come again!

1. The Command to Love (v. 11)
2. The Contrast of Love (v. 12-15)
3. The Cross IS Love (v. 16-18)
4. The Confidence of Love (v. 19-24)

Takeaways: 

1. Love One Another DEFINED: The overflow of joy in God that gladly meets the needs of others.  
2. Love One Another LIVED: Pray for one opportunity every day to show the love of Jesus in action and truth. 
3. Love One Another ILLUSTRATED: The kingdom of Jesus moves forward one act of sacrificial love at a time.  
4. Love One Another ILLUMINATED: By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another. 

1. No matter what happens this week, God is on the throne and Jesus is King. – Psalm 47:1-9, Philippians 2:9-11
2. God is sovereign over all nations and people. – Daniel 4:25, Psalm 20:7
3. God ordains government to restrain evil and promote good. – Romans 13:1-7
4. Disciples of Jesus should be salt and light as citizens of two kingdoms. – Jeremiah 29:7, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Timothy 2:1-7

4 Ways to Engage this Week as Disciples of Jesus

1. Do educate yourself about the issues from a biblical perspective.
2. Do steward your vote as a God-given opportunity.
3. Don’t give in to fear and trust God with the outcomes.
4. Don’t compromise your witness or the unity of the church for politics.